White Gate Heart

• Chapter One •

CHAPTER ONE

The closest relationships can't be forged in a quick moment. It takes time after time of broken hearts, tears, joy, trust, chaos, rebellion, and love. You will believe me when I tell you the story of Jamie and the story of a girl who became a woman within the months of battle and shed tears.

She came to me tattered and mangled with scars not only in the flesh, but in the soul. Her eyes were what drew me to her. There had been something in them begging me to help, to not stand and just hope or pray, like all the other ones who had passed through. They were bright, but wide. She had been frightened and worried, somewhat calmer with my presence.

"She usually nips and bites strangers," Melissa had commented to me when I had stretched out my hand towards the mare's scarred face. She had the strange audacity to take steps towards it. Of course the fidgety mare wouldn't dare meet her skin to mine, but it was better than I had hoped.

This had taken me by surprise. It had also compelled me to bring her home. If I didn't give her a home and a second chance, who would?

"How much?" I had asked. I don't even recall thinking thrice about this situation.

Melissa had widened her eyes at this. Her mouth gaped open and the stable groom overhearing our conversation looked into the aisle way towards my direction, a quizzical look on his face. It seemed that everyone at this farm thought Jamie was a troublesome mare.

"Rebekah, are you sure? She's quite a handle. I worry about you just getting her home! Your father told you to get a horse that will be good for you and the farm, not the opposite," Melissa stuttered. She then wiped her hands on her apron with a disapproving glance. "She has a difficult past that takes a lot of patient training to move on from." 

I looked back at Jamie. She snorted, eyes widening at my glance towards her.

"Yes, ma'am, but I have a strange feeling about her," I replied calmly.

"Are you sure that you didn't happen to swallow a bee? That could be cause for a strange feeling," she joked.

Her light talk made me smile, but I was still determined to bring the feisty mare back to plantation.

Melissa sighed, knowing of my stubborn attitude. I crossed my arms and smirked, excited to bring my first horse home. Melissa stared off for a second, biting her index fingernail. She was thinking, I could tell.

"Alright. Allow me to speak to my husband when he gets back. Why don't you run on home and come back here tomorrow morning around 10? By then he will have a final answer."

"Mrs. Tutton.."

"Melissa. Please darling, Melissa," she corrected kindly.

I nodded then continued,

"Melissa. I've already fallen in love with this horse. If you know me, you know that I will not take a no for an answer. I respect John's knowledge of horses, but Jamie is the horse I will be taking home; even if he says no. I am the one paying after all. You might as well allow me to lead her home now. You still haven't answered my question; how much is she?"

I regretted those words slightly, biting my cheek in regret of my disrespectful manners. I bowed my head and fumbled with my thin, worn fingers. Melissa sighed and gave me a deep look of forgiveness, then blew out through her nose. I yearned for Jamie, I already imagined the journey home. I looked at her with a pleading gleam in my eyes, and I could see her saint of a soul give in.

"Alright, alright! 12 pounds. Final," she stated almost bitterly. I dug through the leather pouch I had stuffed in my dress pocket, then placed 12 pounds into her soft hands. The grin that exploded onto my face was uncontrollable.

"Don't blame me when your father gives you a whipping child," she muttered with a small chuckle. I forced a small laugh in return, shifting my feet uncomfortably as Melissa turned to grab me a lead. Beaming, I grabbed the lead rope and walked slowly to Jamie's pen door. She whinnied a distressed call and widened her eyes at my approach. She whipped her head around, facing me with her fiery eyes and mangled hair. I gulped slowly, realizing what I had gotten myself into.